The Effect of Kerokan to Liver Function of Hepatitis B Patients

Abstract

Kerokan is an alternative therapy done by rubbing and pressing the skin surface using oil and a blunt object. This treatment has a hepatoprotective effect as it increases heme oxygenase-1, an essential enzyme in heme catabolism. In hepatitis B, heme oxygenase-1 plays a vital role to fight oxidative stress. Hence the damage on liver cells can be reduced or even prevented. Damaged cells indicate by the production of aspartate aminotransferase (AST/SGOT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT/SGPT) enzymes that accumulated in the bloodstream. This study aimed to investigate the effect of kerokan to liver function by analyzing SGOT and SGPT levels in hepatitis B patients. These were an experimental study with a pre-test post-test control group design conducted in the public health center in Palembang in October 2016. Statistical analysis used the unpaired t test and paired. The research subjects were 30 patients with inactive carrier and chronic hepatitis B. The levels of SGOT and SGPT were determined using the IFCC method. The levels of SGOT in control (19.53±3.44 U/L) and treatment group (20.46±4.53 U/L, Δ=0.93) after 24–48 hours were not statistically different (p=0.53). Also, the levels of SGPT in control (18.66±5.40 U/L) and treatment group (19.80±9.25 U/L, Δ=1.13) after 24–48 hours were also not statistically different (p=0.68) as well. In conclusion, the liver cells of inactive carrier and chronic hepatitis B patients were not damaged (necrosis) after kerokan therapy, and the levels of SGOT and SGPT were still in the normal range.